Robinson found guilty of manslaughter in crowbar beating death

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - After a day of deliberations, a jury has found Peter Robinson guilty of manslaughter in the crowbar beating death of David Trask.

Both the prosecution and defense agreed that Robinson killed Trask in November, 2011. They disagreed on why Robinson did it.

The defense maintained that Robinson acted in self defense. They said the Trask family had repeatedly threatened Robinson and his wife. In Robinson's testimony, he said he believed Trask was reaching for a gun on the day of the fatal attack.

That later proved to be a cell phone holder.

Closing arguments wrapped up Monday afternoon and the judge issued his orders to the jury in the evening. The judge said jurors had two options; he said while the prosecution tried to prove Robinson was guilty of murder, jurors could opt to convict on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

They reached that decision Tuesday afternoon.

Robinson will be held without bail until his sentencing. He faces up to 30 years in prison.